Spooky Halloween shenanigans in Tampa Bay

By Spectrum News Staff Tampa

UPDATED 11:47 AM ET Oct. 18, 2023 PUBLISHED 4:59 PM ET Oct. 11, 2023 PUBLISHED 4:59 PM EDT Oct. 11, 2023

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s that time of year again to stock up on your favorite candy and don your best costume. The Halloween season is in full effect in Tampa Bay for the whole month of October. Events are lined up across the area to get residents into the spooky spirit. Check out our list below to see what ghoulish gatherings are happening in your community.

Citrus County

• 8th Annual Citrus County Blessings Charity Costume Ball
  
  Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Right Rudder Aviation
  
  The Halloween Costume Ball will include a silent auction, raffles, games, food, and music. All proceeds from the event will fund meals for over 2,600 children in local schools.
• Citrus County Speedway – Halloween Event
  
  Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. | Citrus County Speedway & Track
  
  Check out the speedway’s “Monster Mash” demolition derby and view different types of vehicles race around the track. A trunk-or-treat will be held during the event. Kids 15 and under get in for free.
• Historic Haunt
  
  Oct. 27-29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum
  
  The Historic Haunt will feature an interactive element in which visitors can search for items through the haunt and return to our website to submit the answers. Correct answers will be entered to win a $100 gift card. This event suitable for ages 15 and up. It will contain fog, strobe lighting effects, disturbing scents, and jump scares.

Hernando County

• Beasley Farms Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
  
  Oct. 14-15, 5 p.m. | Beasley Farm
  
  This annual festival will be a mix of Fall and Halloween celebrations as guests pick pumpkins at the patch, feed farm animals and travel through a spooky maze. Entry and parking is free. Pets are welcome but must be leashed.
• Dancing with Dr. Maria Halloween Costume Party
  
  Oct. 20, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | WellCome OM Integral Healing & Education Center
  
  Residents are invited to wear their costumes and join in an evening of dancing and fitness fun. The event is free to attend.
• Trunk or Treat at the Health Department in Spring Hill
  
  Oct. 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Florida Department of Health in Hernando County
  
  The health department will be hosting their first ever Trunk-or-Treat event, featuring over 50 trunks and a haunted house.
• Halloween at Hogwarts
  
  Oct. 27, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The Sensory Center Inc.
  
  Wear the sorting hat, answer trivia, make potions and take pictures with Harry and the gang. Wear your costume and bring your appetite for a Hogwarts feast.
• Wild n’ Wicked Nights: Stranger Springs
  
  Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
  
  This Stranger Things-themed event includes an underwater show, an escape room, and maze and a light show. Guests can enjoy a haunted boat ride and kids can participate in a costume contest.
  
   

Hillsborough County

• Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  
  Now – Oct. 31 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  
  Attendees can make their way through new and revamped haunted houses, uniquely themed scare zones, and ride roller coasters after dark at Busch Gardens’ annual Halloween event. This is a separately ticketed event that is not included with general park admission.
• ZooTampa: Creatures of the Night
  
  Now – Oct. 29 | ZooTampa at Lowry Park
  
  Guests of all ages can enjoy a night of spooky outdoor experiences, a Halloween light show, culinary treats and wildlife connections.
• Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail
  
  Now – Nov. 4 | 2837 South Frontage Road, Plant City, 33566
  
  This attraction features three separate haunted trails with their own backstory. Guests can also test their skills in an escape room and laser tag. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
  
  
• Shimmering Lights Halloween Walk The Lights
  
  Now – Oct. 29 | 2302 N. Dover Road, Dover, 33527
  
  A fall activity for the whole family! Activities include 1/3-mile walking trail with hundreds of themed lighted displays, outdoor movies, maze of lights, scavenger hunt, games, face painting and FOAM play nights.
• Centro Asturiano Halloween Party
  
  Oct. 27, 7 – 11 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa
  
  Monster Mash on the dance floor and bring a dish to share with your table. There will also be costume contests with prizes.
• 7th Annual Riverwalk Trick or Treat
  
  Oct. 28, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Tampa Riverwalk
  
  Families are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat along the Riverwalk while participating in fun activities. There will be over 50 treat stations ranging from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
• Guppyween
  
  Oct. 28-29, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | The Florida Aquarium
  
  Enjoy a family-friendly celebration at the aquarium with mutliple trick-or-treat stations, a dance party, animal encounters, character appearances and more. A sensory friendly event will take place between the hours of 8am and 9:30am on Saturday, October 28.
• Tampa Bay Halloween Fest
  
  Oct. 29, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Westshore Plaza
  
  Local businesses will be handing out candy and showcasing what they offer. Attendees can also enjoy free balloon animals, face painting, crafts, temp tattoo scans and more. Come dressed up as a family and you might win a prize.

Manatee County

• Sheriff’s Spooktactical Night
  
  Oct. 19, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
  
  Members of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and their community partners will have vehicles on display and there will be activities for the kids, trick-or-treating, and more. The event is free to the public and free hotdogs will be available while supplies last. Food trucks will also be available for additional options for purchase.
• BooFest
  
  Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
  
  Kids can bring their trick-or-treat bags to collect the many treats that will be given out from various vendors. There will also be live entertainment, a costume parade and more for the whole family.
• Dance Party/Costume Party
  
  Oct. 27, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Veterans of Foreign Wars
  
  Get ready to groove in your most awesome costumes. proceeds will go to the VFW, “Wounded Warriors” and The Disabled American Veterans. In addition to a great DJ, there will also be pizza, a game room and a laser-shooting booth.
• BOO! at The Bishop
  
  Oct. 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
  
  Join The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and other community partners for family fun. Trick-or-Treat within the museum while visiting with local community members. Light activities will also be provided for children as they explore.
• Trick or Treat Old Manatee
  
  Oct. 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Old Manatee Historic District
  
  Local businesses around the area will be opening their doors to trick-or-treaters of all ages. Additional celebrations will be scheduled all throughout the area.

Pasco County

• Halloween Haunted Mansion Celebration
  
  Oct. 15, 1 p.m. | Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
  
  Enjoy a Haunted Mansion-themed celebration for Halloween. Wear you best costume for a chance at some prizes. Pets are welcome and cash is encouraged.
• Spooktacular at Avalon Park
  
  Oct. 21, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Avalon Park
  
  The annual festivity will feature food trucks, vendors, a complimentary bounce park, and more. Bring your best costume. The event is free to the public.
• Halloween Festival
  
  Oct. 28, 4 p.m. | Meadowpointe II
  
  The free event include a haunted maze, live music, face painting, a variety of games and activities, food and retail vendors, hayrides, a parade and a costume contest.
• Halloween Howl
  
  Oct. 28, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Zephyr Park
  
  Families can have a fun and spooky time in the Zephyrhills Historic District. Activities include hayrides, petting zoo, inflatable slides, haunted house, ghost tours, food trucks and vendors, trick-or-treating and stage performances.
• Halloween Boogie
  
  Oct. 27-29, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Skydive City
  
  Guests can spend the day jumping, followed with a night of fun. The evening includes live performances and costume contest with prizes.
  
   

Pinellas County

• Halloween Decorations in Old Northeast
  
  Now – Oct. 31 | Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood
  
  The closer you get to October 31, the more decked out the homes in the historic Old Northeast are. View some of the most intense Halloween decorations on 17th and 18th Avenues Northeast, between Locust Street and Beach Drive.

• Haunted Firehouse
  
  Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
  
  The Haunted House is recommended for kids ages 10 and older. Family-friendly activities like bounce houses, face painting, trick-or-treating and more will be available for kids of all ages. Free food and drinks will also be provided throughout the event, at 2800 30th Avenue, North St. Petersburg.

• Pups and Pumpkins Fundraiser
  
  Oct. 22, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Pinellas Ale Works
  
  This “pawty” includes a dog costume contest, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, photo booth and live music. All proceeds will benefit Safe Paws Rescue.
• Fright Night III Art Show, Market and Fire Performance
  
  Oct. 27, 7 p.m. | Coastal Creative
  
  Don your spookiest costume, bring your friends and family, and immerse yourself in a world of artistic enchantment at this annual Halloween art show and fire performance. 
• Field of Screams
  
  Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | City of Seminole Recreation Department
  
  The evening will include a trick-or-treat street, a costume contest, carved pumpkin contest, carved pumpkin alley, munchkin mayhem, bounce house and more.
• Halloween Spooktacular at CMA
  
  Oct. 27-31, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.| Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  
  Join members of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for an afternoon of trick-or-treat candy stations, a costume contest, indoor corn maze, marine-themed crafts and spooky decorations.
• Haunted Hammock Hangout at the St. Pete Pier
  
  Oct. 28, 6 p.m. | St. Pete Pier
  
  Coast to Coast Hammock Co. is bringing a night of fall fun to the St. Pete Pier featuring local vendors, music, a costume contest, food trucks and a Halloween movie showing at 7:30 p.m. Wear your best Halloween costume for a chance to win a free Dynamic Hammock. Bring a blanket or rent a hammock stand to enjoy the movie in.
• Halloween on Central
  
  Oct. 29, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Downtown St. Pete
  
  The 3rd annual event will feature a new “Voodoo Village,” strolling performers, family-friendly games, trick-or-treating, a food truck hub, wiener dog races and more. Attendees will be able to walk and bike along Central Avenue, however, those looking to move along the route at a faster pace can opt to take PSTA’s SunRunner, which runs along 1st Avenue North and South between downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach.
  
   

Polk County

• LEGOLAND Florida Resort Brick-or-Treat Presents: Monster Party
  
  Now – Oct. 29 | LEGOLAND Florida
  
  Families can experience a firework show, character meet-and-greets, limited time attractions, and of course, trick-or-treating around the park. Admission is included with day tickets, hotel packages and select annual passes.
  
  
  
  
• Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour
  
  Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. | 455 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL
  
  The tour, hosted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, features never-before-seen areas of the old booking facility. They will also have a bounce house, a “dunk your deputy” dunk tank, and food trucks. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Florida. Tickets are sold in person only.
• The SUN ‘n FUN Spooktacular
  
  Oct. 28, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus
  
  Attendees can bring a camper for the weekend of head over by car to enjoy a spooky afternoon. There will be camper-treating festivities, and s’mores at the fire pit. Guests bringing campers can enter in the People’s Choice Award for best decorated camper.
• Pooch-o-Ween: Pet Parade and Costume Contest
  
  Oct. 28, 11 a.m. | Lakeside Village
  
  Bring your furry friends for a Halloween celebration that’s all about the shared love for pets. Enjoy multiple vendors and a photo station to take pictures with your pet. First-place winners in the costume contest will receive a $150 Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming gift card.
• The Haunting of River Ranch
  
  Now – Nov. 4, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
  
  Experience haunted hayrides and houses at this old Florida dude ranch. Guests can also visit a county fair and pick out their favorite gourds.